Here’s some of what’s happening in Austin’s culinary scene – as wrangled from numerous PR releases, words on the digital street, and even the occasional (verified) IRL eavesdroppings.
Yes, it’s your “Food News Buffet” for the third week of December.
While some food-based businesses collapse, others expand; and some of them keep growing, seemingly forever. Case in point for the latter: JuiceLand, that longtime beveraging bastion of raw juices, superfood smoothies, and a plant-based menu, has opened their newest shop at Ben White & I-35 (600 E. Ben White #400, specifically). This is their third new shop in South Austin over the course of just three months – and, whoa, it’s also their 38th Texas location. “Many of our loyal, long-term guests and close friends live in South Austin,” said JuiceLand founder Matt Shook, “so it feels right to make their drinks come true closer to home.” Pretty convenient, we reckon, and that “make their drinks come true” bit is cute AF, n’est-ce pas? JuiceLand’s hours: Mon.-Sat., 7am-9pm; Sun., 8am-9pm …
Your food reporter recently had the pleasure of dining at the Diner Bar in the lobby of the Thompson Hotel (506 San Jacinto) and, tell you what, the food was superb. (Although, with chef Mashama Bailey at the helm, how could it be otherwise.) We mention this because the Thompson’s other restaurant, Wax Myrtle’s on the fourth floor, right next to the place’s rooftop pool? Will be shuttering on Sun., Dec. 31, to be revamped into an entirely different concept. Ah, hell, we liked Wax Myrtle’s and we’ll be interested to see what the Thompson will debut in that space in early 2024 …
It may not be easy, per Kermit, being green. But what do you think … about things being pink? The Museum of Ice Cream (11506 Century Oaks Terrace) in the Domain Northside changes up their immersive (and, yeah, highly Instagrammable) spectacles every now and again, and this month they’ve kicked off the holiday season with a seasonal smorgasbord of comforting treats and have transformed the tantalizing temple of cool confections into a pink and wintry wonderland: Pinkmas! (There’ll be plenty of peppermint ice cream, too, of course. Because it ain’t just journalists who, um, get the scoop.) Note: This pinktastic marvel of merriment runs through Jan. 15 …
Let’s see – what else, what else? Santa Claus (or at least some highly convincing imposter, right?) will be visiting Garbo’s Maine Lobster (12709 N Mopac) on Sun., Dec. 17, 11am-1pm for photo opps among the Lone Star Farmers Market happening there … Looking for a new brunch option in this weekend-loving town? Austinite, you’re in luck, because Lynn Miller’s Korean-American restaurant Oseyo (1628 E. Cesar Chavez) is serving a Korean-inspired brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, 11am-2:30pm, and we can scarcely imagine the level of yum the menu’s gonna reach with raspberry chia parfait, perilla fritters, pork katsu sandwiches, hot pot ramyun, and more … we told you about NADC Burger’s opening last week, and now Chronicle reporter Haris Qureshi has a first look at the much-hyped place … and, oh, what foodie treats does our Rod Machen suggest for gifting this holiday season? … and Melanie Haupt recommends these fine tools to elevate dining at home … and Birdie’s Bistro Remy continues, and Home Slice’s holiday team-up with Tito’s ain’t over yet, as another year draws to its slow-but-frenzied close …
WUXTRY! If you ever wanted to give the Japanese distilled rice beverage shōchū a try, you may not have another chance as wonderfully enhanced as this: Otoko and Watertrade’s Billy Weston leads a monthly tasting and educational series – “The Dram Sessions” – and the December iteration (Sun., Dec. 17, 4pm) in the elegant venue at 1603 S. Congress features four one-ounce pours for sampling and two dishes of food artfully crafted to complement the spirit’s notes and flavors …
Now eat as well as you can, tip like it’s going out of style, and ask yourself: If you’re not doing something for love, what are you doing it for?
This article appears in December 15 • 2023 and Gift Guide 2023.